International Nonbinary People’s Day has been observed each July 14 since 2012 to recognize and celebrate people who identify as nonbinary. The date was intentionally chosen because it falls midway between International Women’s Day on March 8 and International Men’s Day on Nov. 19, reflecting the idea that gender is on a spectrum.
It also anchors Nonbinary Awareness Week (July 12-19 for this year), an annual campaign promoting visibility, education and inclusion. According to the Human Rights Campaign, Canadian writer and activist Katje van Loon proposed the observance in 2012, and it has since grown into an international effort to raise awareness of nonbinary and gender-expansive people.
The Human Rights Campaign defines being nonbinary as follows: people who do not identify exclusively as a man or a woman. Nonbinary people may identify as being both a man and a woman, somewhere in between or as falling completely outside of these categories. While many also identify as transgender, not all nonbinary people do. Nonbinary can also be used as an umbrella term encompassing identities such as agender, bigender, genderqueer or gender fluid.
Although the term “nonbinary” has become more widely recognized in recent years, the Human Rights Campaign notes that many cultures throughout history have recognized more than two genders. Many Indigenous cultures in North America, for example, have long recognized Two-Spirit people, reflecting traditions that predate modern conversations about gender identity.
The colors of the Nonbinary Pride flag shown above represent (yellow) people whose gender exists entirely outside of the binary; (white) those who encompass multiple or all genders; (purple) a blend or mix of traditional male and female genders; and (black) those who identify as agender or without a gender.
Greater visibility has also introduced more people to nonbinary identities through artists, actors and activists who have spoken publicly about their experiences. According to NBC News, comedian and actor Mae Martin is among a growing number of well-known people who identify as nonbinary, alongside actor Liv Hewson, writer and performance artist Alok Vaid-Menon, television personality Jonathan Van Ness and actor Bella Ramsey. Their visibility has helped broaden public understanding of the many ways people experience and express gender.
In the Carolinas, a number of events during Nonbinary Awareness Week welcome nonbinary and gender-diverse people.
Charlotte Black Pride Week, taking place July 11-18, features community conversations, networking opportunities and its annual festival celebrating gender-diverse Black voices.
In Durham, the social gathering Nonbinary Tea Time is held the second Tuesday of every month, which would place it on July 14. According to the group’s Instagram page, it kicks off at 6:30 p.m. and continues to 8:30 p.m. Check with Linktree and Instagram for an update on the specific location.
On July 18, Charlotte’s Pilot Brewing will host Pints & Progress, a fundraiser benefiting Gender Education Network, a nonprofit that supports transgender and gender-diverse youth and their families.
Although not slated for International Nonbinary Week, the LGBT Center of Raleigh holds Nonbinary Tea Time, as well, usually recurring the last Sunday of the month from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. For July, it is scheduled on the last Sunday at the time indicated with a date of July 26. The LGBT Center of Raleigh is located at 128 East Cabarrus Street.
Whether someone identifies as nonbinary, genderqueer, gender-fluid, agender or another gender-expansive identity, having words to describe those experiences can be affirming and empowering. Nonbinary Awareness Week invites all of us to learn from one another, celebrate the beauty and diversity of queer lives and remember that identities don’t have to fit neatly into boxes to be real, valid or worthy of respect. The more we understand one another, the stronger and more welcoming our communities become.
Additional staff contributed to this article.
This story is brought to you by Rosedale Health and Wellness and Dudley’s Place.
